Vol. 36 No. 1

January 2010

Family Page News

Trinity Lutheran Church

14 East 38^th Street, Erie, PA 16504-1558

e-mail address: tlcerie@verizon.net

web site: www.lutheranerie.com

Rev. Fred Poeppel, Vacancy / Interim Pastor

Trinity Office and Fax Number: 456-1703

Pastor’s Office: 452-4888

The mission of Trinity Lutheran Church is to
share the Good News of Jesus Christ by inviting others into God’s family, encouraging spiritual growth through God’s Word and Sacraments, and caring for
one another in the love of Christ.

129 Years of Ministry – 1881 to 2010

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

January

3 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship with Communion

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise with Communion

10 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise

17 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship with Communion

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise

24 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise

31 11:15 AM - Traditional Worship with Communion

6:00 PM - Today’s Praise

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FROM THE PASTOR

Happy New Year! …again! First of all, let me thank you for all the Christmas cards and gifts you blessed us with. Thank you so much!

As the world around us welcomes in a new year (and a new decade) the thoughts of many people are focused on new years resolutions …”turning over a new leaf.” Many of those resolutions have to do with trying to live healthier lives by quitting smoking, getting more exercise, eating better: less fat, more fiber, and more fruits and vegetables. Those are all good things. And although the statistics on keeping new years resolutions aren’t very good, even if you make some small improvements, you’ll be better off.

Of course, the most beneficial resolution would be to spend more time with Jesus, in His Word, personally or in a group Bible study or in worship (traditional or blended or contemporary). The goal is to grow personally in faith and as disciples of Jesus; …to grow in our new life in Christ!

New life! That’s what the Christian life is all about, as individuals and as a church. Another word for “new life” is Revitalization. Trinity, Erie celebrated a major anniversary a few years ago. Holy Trinity, Albion will be celebrating her 100th anniversary in 2011. But at this point in the histories of Trinity, Erie and Holy Trinity, Albion, nothing is more important than that word: Revitalization. Trinity started more than a year ago, but suffered a setback when Pastor Mark died. HTLC Albion has just rescheduled the consultation weekend for the weekend after Easter. To prepare for that visit, we in Albion will be reading and studying the insights of Rev. Reggie McNeal in his book, “The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church.” The book presents a hard, realistic view of the radical changes that have happened in the world around us that will effect how we function as God’s church in the future (which has already begun).

I think everyone should read this book, but let me share some of Reggie’s thoughts from the introduction to his book. “This book may not be for you. Not that long ago, it wasn’t for me either.” “This book is not for you if you are content with the way things are.” “On the other hand, if you are convinced that God has not abandoned the world, you should read this book. If you have leadership responsibilities and want to challenge the people you lead to think through your ministry strategy, I think you will find help.” “Let me be blunt. I want to galvanize church leaders to action before it’s too late. My goal is to provoke and to frame conversations that lead to action, to risk, to rediscovery of mission.” “How do you know the difference between fads and major changes? What will really make a difference in the long haul?“ I contend that a future already exists that significantly alters the spiritual landscape in North America. I identify six new realities of the present future that must be addressed by church leaders who want to participate in a renewal of the North American church. Each reality requires the church to shift its thinking from answering the wrong question to pursuing the implications of a tough (new) question.”

We have more copies of the book as well as the DVD set for group discussion. Reggie’s ideas will get us thinking. Let’s get to work on a Happy New Year. See you in church! Bring a friend!

Pastor Fred

Cell phone: 814-323-1679 Email: pfpoeppel@yahoo.com

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TRINITY SENIORS

Trinity Seniors will NOT meet during January.

Their next luncheon will be on Wednesday, February 10.

Please watch our bulletins and February newsletter for further information.

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SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY

The Adult Bible Study meets at 10:15 am every Sunday morning as they continue reading the “Law and Gospel” study series.

All are welcome to begin their day of worship in this study led by Millis Parshall.

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ANNUAL REPORT INFORMATION NEEDED

Please turn in any articles or information you have for the 2008-2009 Annual Report by Friday, January 22.

Thanks, Louise

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DORCAS

Dorcas will resume meeting on Tuesday, February 2 at 9:30 am to trim stamps for missions.

Please remember that for every pound of cancelled stamps, a Bible is given to a foreign country in their native language. So, please help us spread the Word of God throughout the world by saving your stamps!

If you have any questions, please contact Trudy Sallach.

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MEMBERS IN HOMES

Please remember our elderly and others who do not get out much with notes, cards, visits in person or telephone calls, as well as remembering them in your prayers.

At Independence Court: Ted Steinbarth

At Manchester Presbyterian: George Hill

At Presbyterian Lodge (on Elmwood): Hilda Papesch

At St. Mary’s (Asbury): Betty Peterson

At Sunrise on the Bay: Mary Lynch

At Village at Luther Square: Bill Guerdon

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ALTAR FLOWERS FOR 2010

There are still a few openings left for 2010 Altar Flowers. A signup chart with the openings remaining is posted on the bulletin board in the hall of the east parking lot. Your name written on the chart entitles you to pay $35 for two vases at Trinity’s altar for one week.

The cost is payable during the month for which you signed up. You will receive a reminder with an envelope.

Please note that after the Sunday services, flowers are used by the Altar Guild for baptisms, also for those who are hospitalized, for shut-ins, and those in other institutions. If you have any questions, please contact Joann Kaufer.

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CHURCH COUNCIL AND VOTERS

At the December 20, 2009 Congregational Voter’s meeting, the following individuals were appointed to the Call Committee:

Art Anderson Judy Leretsis

Sean Bartlett Carl Marzolf

Louise Daubenspeck Mark May (committee chairperson)

Carol George Nancy Rusnak

Joann Kaufer Sam Steiner

Jeannette Copley will serve as Recording Secretary and will fill a position on the committee should someone need to drop out before the call process is complete.

Their first meeting will be on Saturday, January 9 at 10:00 am. Our circuit counselor, Rev. Dave Beutel, will attend this initial meeting.

If you have any questions regarding the Call Committee or the process, please contact Mark May at 725-2560.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact one of the following Council Members:

President – Mark May 725-2560

Elders – Tyco Swick 868-9393

John Anderson 881-1335

Terry Lawrence 602-3185

Carl Marzolf 734-1231

Richard Wenger 476-1549

Trustees – Sam Steiner 833-8704

Art Anderson 456-1319

Sean Bartlett 881-6910

Tim Hinds 864-5284

Millis Parshall 864-1370

Congregational Secretary – Jeannette Copley 825-6842

Financial Secretary – Doris Swan 864-5217

Treasurer – Marina George 881-4331

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LADIES AID

Remember … Ladies Aid does not meet in January or February.

The next business meeting will be held March 11 at 12:15 pm.

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ALTAR FLOWERS

Special thanks to those who contributed altar flowers in church for January:

January 3, 10, 17 – not yet underwritten

January 24 – Pat & Linda Federici in memory of John & Helen Cook

January 31 – Sallach family in memory of Rev. D. E. Sallach

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UPDATES TO MEMBERS & FRIENDS DIRECTORY

No updates or changes to report this month!

Please be sure to notify our secretary, Louise, at 814-456-1703 or via e-mail at tlcerie@verizon.net of any additions, changes or corrections to be made to your address and/or phone number.

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GIVING ACCOUNTS VS. GIVING ENVELOPES

We have had several requests this year for a giving “account” but not actual giving “envelopes.” Many people indicated that they only give once a month and getting a box full of envelopes was a waste. So … if you would also be interested in a giving account but not an actual box of offering envelopes, please contact Doris Swan, Sam Steiner or our church secretary, Louise.

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RECYCLING PHONEBOOKS

The city of Erie no longer accepts telephone books for recycling. So, to help save landfill space AND to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank, we will be collecting all old phonebooks from now until Sunday, January 24.

If you are unable to bring your old phonebooks to the church and live in the Erie area, please consider taking every phonebook you can directly to Erie Energy Products, Inc. at 1400 Irwin Drive, Monday thru Friday from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm until January 29.

Second Harvest receives 2 cents per pound from Erie Energy Products who recycles the phonebooks into new insulation saving landfill space!! And with every $1 they receive, Second Harvest can obtain $17 worth of food. It really adds up! Just think, last year, 79,332 pounds of phonebooks were collected which provided Second Harvest Food Bank with $26,979 of food!

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SERVANTS THIS MONTH

COUNTERS 11:15 am

Jan. 3 John & Brenda Johnson, Tyco & Sharon Swick

Jan. 10 Ben Anthony, Sam Steiner, Millis Parshall

Jan. 17 Mark & Luanne May, Dick & Dot Smith

Jan. 24 Art Anderson, Vince & Neva Cunningham

Jan. 31 John & Brenda Johnson, Tyco & Sharon Swick

If you are unable to serve a scheduled date, please make a substitution or call Art Anderson at 456-1319.

ELDERS 11:15 am 6:00 pm

Jan. 3 Carl Marzolf Terry Lawrence

Jan. 10 Dick Wenger John Anderson

Jan. 17 Tyco Swick Terry Lawrence

Jan. 24 Carl Marzolf John Anderson

Jan. 31 Dick Wenger Terry Lawrence

If you are unable to serve a scheduled date, please make a substitution or call Tyco Swick at 868-9393.

LOCK-UP 11:15 am 6:00 pm

Jan. 3 Millis Parshall Tim Hinds

Jan. 10 Mark May Sean Bartlett

Jan. 17 Sam Steiner Art Anderson

Jan. 24 Millis Parshall Tim Hinds

Jan. 31 Mark May Sean Bartlett

If you are unable to serve a scheduled date, please make a substitution or call Sam Steiner at 833-8704.

USHERS 11:15 am

Jan. 3 Vince Cunningham, John Johnson, Mark May,

Dick Smith

Jan. 10 Vince Cunningham, John Johnson,

Millis Parshall, Dick Yeager

Jan. 17 Mark May, Millis Parshall, Dick Smith,

Dick Yeager

Jan. 24 Vince Cunningham, John Johnson, Mark May,

Dick Smith

Jan. 31 Vince Cunningham, John Johnson,

Millis Parshall, Dick Yeager

If you are unable to serve a scheduled date, please make a substitution or call Terry Lawrence at 602-3185.

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BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO:

Please keep in mind that the church office only has the information that you have provided. Please update us as to any mistakes or omissions. Thank you.

Celebrating their birthday this month are:

3	Nancy Tate	16	Carl Marzolf
7	Eugene Bernhard,	18	Alexandra Anderson
	Kathy Dzuricky,	20	Beverly Yokoff
	Verna Fickenscher	22	Stacey May
10	Benjamin Anthony	25	Chloe Bock
11	Jacob Gland,	27	Karen Conner
	Nicholas Krahe	28	Thomas Sallach
12	Alexis Hinds	30	Dick Yeager

We have no couples to report that are celebrating their anniversary this month! If we should, please let our secretary know right away!! Thanks!

Congratulations on your special day!

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LUTHERAN WITNESS

If you would like to have a copy of the Lutheran Witness delivered directly to your home, please contact our secretary, Louise. The cost is $8.40 per year … but no money is due now! All you need to do at this point is let Louise know you would like a subscription. Please have your subscription request turned in by Sunday, January 10. Thanks!

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INSTALLATION OF CHURCH OFFICERS

During both services on Sunday, January 10, our Church Council and other officers of our congregation will be placed into office for the year 2010. Please encourage them with your support of, feedback about, and involvement in the various tasks of God’s people at worship, at work, in fun and in fellowship.

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LWML

Members of LWML will meet on Thursday, January 28 at 12:00 Noon at Trudy Sallach’s home for a soup luncheon and meeting.

During the meeting, the members of LWML will discuss plans for the upcoming convention to be held in Pittsburgh in June.

If you have any questions, please contact Trudy Sallach.

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THANK YOU!

Many thanks to Dorothy Faas for donating an organ to the church. The organ was placed on the stage in the social hall.

It is so nice to have both an organ and piano in the social hall again! Thank you Dee!

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PRAYER CHAIN UPDATES

We have been praying for a number of individuals and thought it would be nice to provide any updates we have:

· Audrey Baker (now at Presque Isle Rehab on Schaper Avenue) is making great gains in her recovery, Praise God!

· Wilma Lankiewicz (Nancy Rusnak’s mother) is showing improvement in her condition at a hospital in California.

· Dylan Baird (1-year-old grandson of Tim & Joyce) is responding well to treatment at the Oakland, CA Children’s Hospital.

· Jean Martino is still living with her son in Wisconsin. She remains on bed rest but is doing better than expected, Praise the Lord!

Please keep these individuals, their families, and all others on our prayer chain in your prayers daily.

To place someone on our prayer chain, please call Trudy Sallach at 866-7662.

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January 2010 Trinity Lutheran Church Calendar of Events
SUNDAY	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY
					1 Happy New Year!	2
3 10:15 am Bible Study 11:15 am Traditional Service with Communion 6:00 pm Today’s Praise with Communion	4	5	6 7:30 pm Choir Practice	7	8	9 10:00 am Call Committee Meeting with Rev. Dave Beutel
10 10:15 am Bible Study 11:15 am Traditional Service with Installation of Officers 6:00 pm Today’s Praise with Installation of Officers Last day to place order for Lutheran Witness to be delivered to your home!	11 7:00 pm Church Board and Council Meetings	12	13 NO Choir Practice	14	15	16
17 10:15 am Bible Study 11:15 am Traditional Service with Communion 6:00 pm Today’s Praise	18 Martin Luther King Day	19	20 7:30 pm Choir Practice	21	22 Last day to submit articles for 2008-2009 Annual Report	23
24 10:15 am Bible Study 11:15 am Traditional Service 6:00 pm Today’s Praise Last day to bring in phone books for recycling!	25 Last day to submit articles for February’s newsletter!	26	27 7:30 pm Choir Practice	28 12:00 pm LWML Soup Luncheon and meeting at Trudy Sallach’s house	29	30
31 10:15 am Bible Study 11:15 am Traditional Service with Communion 6:00 pm Today’s Praise